Our proposals

About the site

Waddeton Park’s proposed development would be located to the north of Sowton, on land which was formerly part of Venn’s Farm.

The plan would deliver up to 28,300 sqm of commercial space split across B2 (General Industrial), B8 (Storage or Distribution), and E(g) (Any Industrial Process) uses. The site is currently used for agricultural purposes extending to approximately 19.3ha.

The site is not located within the Green Belt and is not subject to any planning restrictions which would prevent the development of the site. The proposal therefore offers the opportunity to deliver much needed jobs and investment in East Devon on a deliverable site without having to release Green Belt and.

28,300sqm of commercial space split across B2 (General Industrial), B8 (Storage or Distribution) and E(g) (Industrial Process) uses.
Additional amenities on the site could include a gym and creche. These facilities would be available for use by visitors to the site and local residents.
Creation of 1,040 jobs for local residents, contributing a total of £74.5 million to the local economy.
Significant areas of landscaping and planting, including a retained area of farmland for recreational use.
Primary access to the site off Sowton Lane, as well as the opportunity to deliver connectivity improvements, through new or enhanced footpaths.
Employment and training, as well as procurement, opportunities created during construction.

Creating jobs and generating investment locally

Our proposals off an opportunity to create much-needed new jobs and deliver significant investment in the local and regional economy.

The area is already a proven employment hub, with the Exeter and East Devon Enterprise Zone hosting successful developments such as Exeter Science Park, Skypark, and Power Park. The land to the north of Sowton village can build on this, delivering new commercial space for office, industrial and distribution uses. With major developments taking place nearby, in the form of Cranbrook and other housing developments, the site will provide a critical employment opportunity for a growing workforce, ensuring long-term economic sustainability in the region.

A report prepared by Economic Development Consultants Hardisty Jones which assesses the potential impact of our proposal outlines that the plan would deliver significant investment and would create and support jobs directly and through the wider local supply chain. The assessment found that, in the short term, the development could generate up to 300 jobs during construction, with over 150 of these positions likely to be filled by East Devon residents which would subsequently inject £6 million in wages into the local economy. The project is also estimated contribute £12 million in total earnings for the construction sector with an estimated Gross Value Added (GVA) of £25.8 million.

Once operational and over the longer term, our proposals could support up to 1,040 on-site jobs. Our early analysis economic analysis suggests that around 400 of these roles would be filled by East Devon residents, thereby helping to create opportunities for people to work locally and also tackle unemployment in the district. It is estimated that once fully operational the development would generate over £15 million in annual wages for East Devon residents and a total of £39.7 million in earnings per year for all roles, contributing a Gross Value Add (GVA) of £74.5 million to the economy.

Access & transport – Developing a well-located site

The primary access to the site will be off Sowton Lane.

The site benefits from being in a sustainable location, being in close proximity to a wide range of local facilities and benefitting from direct access to key transport links – including the M5, connecting the Midlands to the South West; the A30, linking the region to London; and Exeter Airport, providing UK and European connections. This site is ideally placed for businesses seeking connectivity.

The site is not currently served by a bus stop. However, as part of our Outline Planning Application we will be preparing a comprehensive Transport Assessment, which will identify the potential impact of the proposals on the highways network. We are also considering whether it would be possible to improve access to the site for pedestrians from the surrounding settlements and those wishing to use public transport. We are keen to hear the views of the local community on this during construction. We will also be preparing a Framework Travel Plan which will encourage and enable sustainable travel to and from the development, with the aim of reducing single occupancy car trips.

It is also anticipated that the proposed development would provide dedicated cycle parking and EV charging points, in line with Council policy.

Protecting and preserving the landscape

Sustainability is at the heart of the design, with solar panels improving energy efficiency, EV charging points supporting greener transport, and extensive planting to enhance biodiversity. The site will also include two attenuation ponds to manage water run off sustainably and a 30m ecological buffer including a 15m tree belt to create a green, landscaped setting. A portion of the eastern fields will be retained for biodiversity enhancements such as trees, shrubs, grasses, and wildflower seeding to maximise habits on site. This will provide benefits for the local community and businesses on the site.

Ensuring that the plans integrate sympathetically into the local landscape has been a significant influencing factor in developing our masterplan for the site. The site already benefits from a strong network of trees and hedgerows around the boundary, however, the proposals would seek to strengthen this through a series of targeted planting and nature enhancements and ensure privacy for neighbouring properties is maintained.

We understand that preserving the character and heritage of the landscape is an important consideration for residents. We were keen to hear suggestions from the local community and other stakeholders during the consultation process as to how we can ensure that the development blends comfortably into the existing landscape.

Improving biodiversity and ecology

Sustainability is a key focus of the development. The site will integrate green infrastructure, including new tree planting, biodiversity corridors, and sustainable drainage systems to enhance the natural environment while ensuring responsible land use.

We are keen to ensure that the proposals align with East Devon District Council’s aspirations to support biodiversity and tackle the ecological emergency. As such, we have already conducted initial ecological surveys and assessments and used the findings of these to inform our design.

These initial surveys informed further survey work on site for different specieis of wildlife. As the site largely comprises intensively managed agricultural land the potential for the development to impact wildlife is very limited. The development will require the removal of some hedgerow sections for road access and two new entrances to the site may require some artificial lighting. Potential impacts on the wildlife during construction can be avoided through implementing suitable precautionary measures during vegetation clearance. These can be set out in the Construction Ecological Management Plan. The potential losses of habitat extent and connectivity can be mitigated through additional planting. The proposed development layout would result in substantial net gains for biodiversity.

Should planning permission be granted we would prepare a comprehensive Construction Ecological Management Plan to set out measures which will be put in place to avoid impacts on wildlife, including restrictions and controls on the use of artificial lighting during construction, in order to minimise any impact on bats.

At Waddeton Park we take our commitment to the environment and its safety very seriously, and where possible, hope to improve the biodiversity of all our sites. On site we have conducted a range of ecological surveys and assessments and used the findings of these to inform our initial design. Some of the key measures included within our proposals which will seek to support and enhance biodiversity on the site are:

A 15m tree buffer around the edge of the site.
Retaining a field for tree planting, shrubs, grasses, and wildflowers, free to use by local and employees on site.
Creating a buffer around the site boundaries to improve the site’s habitat value and provide foraging habitat for bats.
Providing bird and bat boxes, bee bricks, and bug hotels across the proposed development.

Whilst we will continue to refine our proposals, we are firmly committed to ensuring that we deliver above the 10% biodiversity net gain required by East Devon District Council’s planning policy and national legislation.